This video of Democratic Senate candidate Jeff Merkley being confronted by an anti-union activist is starting to go viral. What's interesting is that some folks, like at NW Republican, are running it because they think it makes Merkley look tongue-tied while others, like at Blue Oregon, believe Merkley showed his cool under fire.

For background, understand that unions have been pushing for "card check" laws that allow workers to be represented by a union by signing authorization forms. Now, secret-ballot elections are generally held when workers want to organize. Here's why unions say the current process is unfair, and here's why the pro-employer side says card checks are bad.

Lastly, under Merkley's leadership as House speaker, the Oregon Legislature in 2007 passed a bill allowing card checks for public employees, who are already the most likely workers to be unionized in Oregon.